Babysit: Do everything for them, presume they know absolutely nothing. Making little to no effort to be proactive in making sure they know basic functions

Teach: Do the hard stuff for them, expect them to have a common knowledge of how to use their computers (in which they work on everyday). Be proactive in making sure they know how to perform basic functions.

Common Knowledge: Ability to navigate a Windows Machine, such as accessing programs from the start menu, using USB drives, copy and paste, moving files, etc. Also being able to follow directions.

My co-worker and I have a different view on this. I think people should be forced to know the basic functions, he says people don't care and that it's our job to do it for them.

If you need to use a computer to do your job, you should know how to do your job yourself and know the basics. Now, if something more technical comes along, but all means...ask for assistance. However, I would expect that person to take notes or retain that info for future use. I have my own job...I am not going to do someone elses.

I've found that the more ignorant they are, the more they yell, some people are just jerks

First, let me start with my definitions.

Babysit: Do everything for them, presume they know absolutely nothing. Making little to no effort to be proactive in making sure they know basic functions

Teach: Do the hard stuff for them, expect them to have a common knowledge of how to use their computers (in which they work on everyday). Be proactive in making sure they know how to perform basic functions.

Common Knowledge: Ability to navigate a Windows Machine, such as accessing programs from the start menu, using USB drives, copy and paste, moving files, etc. Also being able to follow directions.

My co-worker and I have a different view on this. I think people should be forced to know the basic functions, he says people don't care and that it's our job to do it for them.

An example. I swapped a computer out last night before I left. Data transferring overnight onto an external. Our computers are imaged the same way, the only differences are a few shortcuts we create. I left a note how to get going in the am. IE. Do this to login. To access your email, open outlook and click continue until you see your mail, and if you need your files before I get in, feel free to grab them off the USB drive sitting on your laptop. So I get yelled at for not doing everything for them because she didn't know the basic functions.

Babysitting people is what will burn you out. People need to have some self reliance. It's absolutely unacceptable to have to babysit people through navigating the start menu. With that said, from time to time, I do end up helping with basic stuff like this because the people really are that stupid sometimes.

i am not certain of many other places however, i have taken it upon myself at each of the locations i have worked to not just fix problems but educate as to what caused the problem and steps to take to prevent it from happening.

Since i have been working at my current company (19 months now) I have been able to create an entire section on SharePoint for self help as well as education on how to do certain tasks. And in conjunction with our training department we have started doing basic how to classes for things once a month.

That is really their job. . .as a former IT director (IFS - Information Systems) my people were there to do training, help desk, and repairs (covers a large area) along with whatever other task may apply.

Babysit: Do everything for them, presume they know absolutely nothing. Making little to no effort to be proactive in making sure they know basic functions

Teach: Do the hard stuff for them, expect them to have a common knowledge of how to use their computers (in which they work on everyday). Be proactive in making sure they know how to perform basic functions.

Common Knowledge: Ability to navigate a Windows Machine, such as accessing programs from the start menu, using USB drives, copy and paste, moving files, etc. Also being able to follow directions.

My co-worker and I have a different view on this. I think people should be forced to know the basic functions, he says people don't care and that it's our job to do it for them.

An example. I swapped a computer out last night before I left. Data transferring overnight onto an external. Our computers are imaged the same way, the only differences are a few shortcuts we create. I left a note how to get going in the am. IE. Do this to login. To access your email, open outlook and click continue until you see your mail, and if you need your files before I get in, feel free to grab them off the USB drive sitting on your laptop. So I get yelled at for not doing everything for them because she didn't know the basic functions.

What are your opinions on this overall?

You must not be in IT very long. IT is the first dept to get people laid off. They see you not doing anything they will lay you off. teaching people how to use programs gets you seen. Which means job security.

I got laid off from my very first IT job because I did it so well That I had free time. Instantly laid off .

I consider being the 'IT guy' a service. I will do as required: Some users are more computer literate than others, so I will explain/teach for some, babysit for others. There is no use forcing someone who just wants to use his/her PC to learn technical details other users will be interested in.

You must not be in IT very long. IT is the first dept to get people laid off. They see you not doing anything they will lay you off. teaching people how to use programs gets you seen. Which means job security.

I got laid off from my very first IT job because I did it so well That I had free time. Instantly laid off .

After reading other replies here, it should be understood that specific job titles and business sizes will differ on this. For a Systems Admin or Network Admin, it is a huge waste of time and resources to have to train idiots on an every day basis. For help desk roles, it will probably be an inevitable part of the job.